Sonnet today announced the Echo(TM) Express SEL, the latest addition to the award-winning Echo Express line of Thunderbolt(TM) 2-to-PCIe(R) expansion systems. Like the other members of the Echo Express family, the SEL enables the use of a wide variety of high-performance PCI Express(R) (PCIe) cards -- originally designed for use in desktop computers -- with any Mac(R) computer with a Thunderbolt port. The new model is the smallest and quietest Echo chassis yet, and supports one low-profile PCIe card.

The Echo Express SEL incorporates ultra-fast Thunderbolt 2 technology, which delivers twice the bandwidth of Thunderbolt and provides sufficient throughput to support many of the highest-performing and most demanding PCIe cards. The new expansion chassis is ideally suited for use with high-bandwidth networking cards, host bus adapters, and storage interface cards, allowing them to connect with Thunderbolt-enabled iMac(R), Mac mini, MacBook Air(R), and MacBook Pro(R) computers, as well as Mac Pro(R) computers that lack PCIe expansion slots. Plus, the Echo Express SEL's dual Thunderbolt 2 ports not only support full-bandwidth connectivity with 20 Gb/sec Thunderbolt 2-equipped host computers, but provide full backward compatibility with 10 Gb/sec Thunderbolt-equipped computers and devices, and support daisy-chaining of other Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt devices.

The Echo Express SEL supports low-profile, single-width PCIe 2.0 x8 cards. The majority of the most popular Thunderbolt-compatible 16Gb and 8Gb Fibre Channel, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, SAS and SATA host bus adapters, and RAID controller cards fall into this category, making the SEL a perfect match for users needing a discrete, quiet, and yet very fast PCIe chassis to connect one of these specialized interface cards to their computers. Thunderbolt 2 technology is essential for enabling many high-performance cards, such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet, to yield optimal performance over Thunderbolt. For example, in a test using Small Tree Communications' dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet CAT6 Network Adapter with the Echo Express SEL, performance increased by 40 percent compared to the same card tested in a standard 10 Gb/sec Thunderbolt-to-PCIe chassis. The list of compatible PCIe cards is available on Sonnet's website, and is continually expanding as more cards are tested and certified.

Measuring 4 inches wide by 8.4 inches long by 2.8 inches tall and weighing just 1.75 pounds, the Echo Express SEL is compact and lightweight, yet its rugged aluminum case provides great protection for the installed card. The SEL features an ultra-quiet, temperature-controlled fan to help keep even warm cards cool. When not needed, the fan slows down to a whisper. The SEL is Sonnet's quietest expansion chassis yet.

The Echo Express SEL ships with an 80W external power adapter, keeping the system's energy usage low. The SEL also conserves energy by automatically powering on whenever the connected computer powers on or wakes, or powering off when the computer powers off or sleeps. Sonnet includes a cable locking mechanism that secures the Thunderbolt connectors and prevents accidental cable disconnects. Like the other models in the Echo Express family, the Echo Express SEL was designed, engineered, and built by Sonnet in California.

"Many of our customers that have only one PCIe card, such as a high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or high bandwidth storage interface card, need the increased performance of Thunderbolt 2 but want the smallest and quietest chassis possible," said Robert Farnsworth, CEO of Sonnet Technologies. "Now, users purchasing a new Mac Pro, or other Thunderbolt 2 technology-enabled computers, will be able to take advantage of the groundbreaking performance of Thunderbolt 2 technology using Sonnet's most affordable Thunderbolt 2-to-PCIe card expansion chassis."

The Echo Express SEL (part number ECHO-EXP-SEL) is now available for $399 USD. More information on the product and compatible PCIe expansion cards is available at www.sonnettech.com/product/echoexpresssel.html.

More information on Sonnet and its other products is available at www.sonnettech.com.

Sonnet Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of storage systems, Thunderbolt(TM) technology PCIe(R) expansion products, interface cards, and media readers for professional users in the audio, video, and broadcast industries. Sonnet's Thunderbolt expansion products enable the use of pro audio I/O and DSP cards, pro video capture and transcoding cards, interface cards, and other high-performance PCIe cards with mini, portable, and all-in-one computers. The company's product line features a range of high-performance, cost-effective, and reliable RAID storage solutions. For more than 27 years Sonnet has pioneered and brought to market innovative and award-winning products that enhance the performance and connectivity of Mac(R), Windows(R), and other industry-standard computers. More information is available at www.sonnettech.com.

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